Minn. R. agency 138, ch. 7843, pt. 7843.0400

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 25, December 16, 2024

Part 7843.0400 - CONTENTS OF RESOURCE PLAN FILINGS

Subpart 1.Advance forecasts.

A utility shall include in the filing identified in subpart 2 its most recent annual submission to the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board under Minnesota Statutes, sections 216B.2422, subdivision 2a, and 216C.17, and parts 7610.0100 to 7610.0600.

Subp. 2.Resource plan.

A utility shall file a proposed plan for meeting the service needs of its customers over the forecast period. The plan must show the resource options the utility believes it might use to meet those needs. The plan must also specify how the implementation and use of those resource options would vary with changes in supply and demand circumstances. The utility is only required to identify a resource option generically, unless a commitment to a specific resource exists at the time of the filing. The utility shall also discuss plans to reduce existing resources through sales, leases, deratings, or retirements.

"Derating" means a temporary or permanent reduction in the expected power output of a generating facility.

Subp. 3.Supporting information.

A utility shall include in its resource plan filing information supporting selection of the proposed resource plan.

A. When a utility's existing resources are inadequate to meet the projected level of service needs, the supporting information must contain a complete list of resource options considered for addition to the existing resources. At a minimum, the list must include new generating facilities of various types and sizes and with various fuel types, cogeneration, new transmission facilities of various types and sizes, upgrading of existing generation and transmission equipment, life extensions of existing generation and transmission equipment, load-control equipment, utility-sponsored conservation programs, purchases from nonutilities, and purchases from other utilities. The utility may seek additional input from the commission regarding the resource options to be included in the list. For a resource option that could meet a significant part of the need identified by the forecast, the supporting information must include a general evaluation of the option, including its availability, reliability, cost, socioeconomic effects, and environmental effects.

B. The supporting information must include descriptions of the overall process and of the analytical techniques used by the utility to create its proposed resource plan from the available options.

C. The supporting information must include an action plan, a description of the activities the utility intends to undertake to develop or obtain noncurrent resources identified in its proposed plan. The action plan must cover a five-year period beginning with the filing date. The action plan must include a schedule of key activities, including construction and regulatory filings.

D. For the proposed resource plan as a whole, the supporting information must include a narrative and quantitative discussion of why the plan would be in the public interest, considering the factors listed in part 7843.0500, subpart 3.

Subp. 4.Nontechnical summary.

A utility shall include in its resource plan filing a nontechnical summary, not exceeding 25 pages in length and describing the utility's resource needs, the resource plan created by the utility to meet those needs, the process and analytical techniques used to create the plan, activities required over the next five years to implement the plan, and the likely effect of plan implementation on electric rates and bills.

Subp. 5.Combined and common filings.

Utilities may combine their individual filings into a single larger filing, as long as the action does not lead to a loss of information. Information common to two or more of the utilities need only be submitted once, as long as the filing clearly shows the utilities to which the information applies.

Minn. R. agency 138, ch. 7843, pt. 7843.0400

15 SR 336; L 2001 1Sp4 art 6 s 1

Statutory Authority: MS s 216B.03; 216B.08; 216B.09; 216B.13; 216B.16; 216B.24; 216B.33; 216C.05